What is hormone therapy?

We know that prostate cancer is affected by the male sex hormone testosterone and that prostate cancer stops growing, at least initially, if testosterone is eliminated from the body. Treatments for metastatic prostate cancer can take advantage of this effect. There are two types of hormone therapy – drug therapy and surgical removal of testicular tissue (subcapsular orchidectomy). The goal of hormone therapy is to eliminate testosterone.

We know that prostate cancer is affected by the male sex hormone testosterone and that prostate cancer stops growing, at least initially, if testosterone is eliminated from the body. Treatments for metastatic prostate cancer can take advantage of this effect. There are two types of hormone therapy – drug therapy and surgical removal of testicular tissue (subcapsular orchidectomy). The goal of hormone therapy is to eliminate testosterone.

Common unwanted side effects of this treatment include hot flushes, feeling tense, pain and breast enlargement (gynaecomastia). In this case, patients may require preventive radiotherapy to the breasts. Both surgical and drug-based hormone therapies also cause erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Your urologist will determine the appropriate type of hormone therapy for you and how long it should be given for on an individual basis.